Gerry Adams (Louth, Sinn Fein)
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Question 345: To ask the Minister for Justice and Equality if the current residents of the Mosney camp, County Meath are to be relocated to an alternative site; if they are to be relocated to an alternative site; if the Bettystown Court Hotel is being considered as a possible option. [32992/12]

Alan Shatter (Dublin South, Fine Gael)
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The Reception and Integration Agency (RIA) of my Department is charged with responsibility for the accommodation of asylum seekers while their applications for protection are being processed. Currently, there almost 5,100 persons accommodated in 37 RIA centres located throughout the State.

RIA has recently signed another contract with Mosney for the accommodation of asylum seekers up to June, 2013. Therefore, the scenario outlined in this question does not arise. Moreover, RIA does not have a contract with the hotel cited by the Deputy.

As a general point, it is not uncommon for unused hotels in locations around the country to generate such speculation but, as a matter of long standing policy, RIA never comments on procurement issues. The number of asylum seekers requiring accommodation now and in the future is under constant review.